The Boxscore

Taken in the early goings of the 2nd round of the draft, he was touted as a natural talent, the sky the limit, an upside unbelievably high. He excelled through the minor leagues, tearing apart obstacles and poor pitching in the farm systems. Many believed him to be the second-coming of Dave Winfield, differentiated by a devilish smile and pale, white skin. His love of the game was immense and he didn't hide it, sometimes thought to be eccentric or outlandish, although his grin showed an honesty not seen  often these days.

Come Triple-A, things slowed down for him. Several injuries lead to a downturn in production, batting only .220 with no homers and a minuscule runs batted in total. His team saw no need for him and dumped him on another club, his hope for stardom dwindling with every 0-4, 3k trip to the park.

His woes continued through the season although his new organization still saw the potential hiding behind his icy, "can't miss" eyes. He changed his swing, his stance, his hair. He developed an attitude fit more for an inmate than a ballplayer. He grew tired of the massive questioning regarding his abilities, at one point thought to be far above the norm, now seen by many as a wasted talent. He developed bad habits and dabbled in worse. His team missed the playoffs come a fateful September evening after an error and bases-loaded ground out in the 9th inning to lose the clincher. How would you take that? Exactly.

In the offseason, he spent his time in a self-deprecating cocoon, fighting the ebb and flow of a disappointing (on many levels) life. His days were filled with grains and rye, his nights whatever he can find. He received a letter around March saying that he doesn't need to show up to spring training: "Good luck in your future ventures". Future ventures.

Several years later, he was signed by a local semi-pro ball club. After a "fluke" of a season, successfully completing the Triple Crown, his hope had been restored. He got a call from the Bigs. He answered ecstatically and followed the winding road back to where he began. An undeniable talent that never reached potential, fighting his way to the Big Leagues through seas of far less talented, yet somehow more successful .

Time will tell if he can become the next Dave Winfield. All we can say for sure is that with a past like that, the future has to be awfully bright.